
Tta 



Glass 

Book » 2>W3_^i3L 



SERMON, 

DELIVERED AT 

SHREW'SBURY, 

JBY JOSEPH SUMNER, 

JUNE 23, 1812, 

THE DAT WHICH COMPLETED 

jFiftp gcariEf 

tROM THE TIME OE HIS INDCCTIOrT INTO THB 

PASTORAL OFFICE, 

OVER THE 

Church and People in that Place. 



SECOJ^D EDITION 






PRINTED AT WORCESTER, BY WIl^^IA* MANNIXG. 



JiTLT, 1819, 



■^■^-';4 



F74. 




SERMON. 



PSALM cxlv. 4. 

eSE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER, AND SHALt 
DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS. 

1 HE works of God are a glorious and con- 
tinued display of his perfections. Day unto day ut- 
tereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge 
of God. The works of creation and providence loud- 
ly proclaim, through all the earth, his wisdom and his 
power. The work of redemption more abundantly 
manifests his grace and his mercy. This has employ- 
ed the thoughts, the tongues and the pens of patri- 
archs and prophets— of apostles, and many other de- 
vout men, in various ages of the world. This has been 
the admiration and joy of saints and of angels, and 
will be celebrated in their united songs through all e- 
ternity. The works of creation, providence and re- 
demption exhibit the glories of Deity to men, and 
teach them their duty to Him. Hence the importance 
of handing down, from one generation to another, these 
works of God, that they may excite our reverence and 
fear of Him — our gratitude and praise — our hope and 
trust. These important purposes are directly promot- 
ed by sacred^ and are aided by all authentick history. 
Nations which are not favoured with divine revelation, 
possess much knowledge of the works and ways of 



God, which Divine Providence enables them to trans- 
mit from one generation to another. In every age 
God endows some with super-eminent talents, to per- 
form distinguished services in the world ; and he rais- 
es up others to be the historians of their deeds : and 
Avilh these, they also register many of the dealings of 
God with the children of men, for the benefit of suc- 
ceeding generations. 

The works of God call for the notice and praise of 
his rational offspring, because they tend to the glory of 
tlie Creator, and to the instruction of his creatures. It 
is suitable at all times to praise God forliis works, and 
to speak of him for the improvement of the risjng gen- 
eration ; but there are certain periods in the revolutions 
of years, when it is proper to take a retrospection of 
the great events in providence, that we may impress 
our minds with the recollection of those providential 
dispensations, which have been conveyed to us by sa- 
cred and profane history, to strengthen our own faith 
and hope in God, and to establish these in others. It 
is also our duty to register and to declare those works 
of God, which have been exhibited to our view, while 
we have been upon the stage of action. In thij^ man- 
ner, one generation should praise God's works to a- 
nother, and declare his mighty acts. 

This day completes half a century since my induc- 
tion into the pastoral office over the church and people 
in this place. This connexion must soon be dissolv- 
ed ; and I therefore desire to direct your attention, 

I. To some of the advantages, which result from 
the declaration of the works of God by one generation 
to another. 

II. To notice tlie principal events that have taken 
place among us, during my ministry, particularly tho-^e 



lyliich had an immediate relation to the inhabitants of 
this town. I shall close the discourse by a few reflec- 
tions, as the application of our subject. — Permit me, 

I. To direct your attention to some of the advan- 
tages which result from the declaration of the works 
of God by one generation to another. 

The communication of important knowledge from 
one generation to another, is one principal design of 
sacred history, which preserves the knowledge of the 
state of innocence, in which God originally placed 
man — -of his fall from this state ; and of the provision 
ITiade for his recovery. We cannot but admire the 
wisdom, power and goodness of the Creator in the 
formation of man, in whose composition earth and 
Jieaven were united. A body formed of earth and 
wonderfully constructed, and a spirit of understand- 
ing given by the inspiration of the Almighty. We 
j&re justly astonished, when we contemplate the won- 
derful method devised and executed for the recovery 
of the race of mankind from the state of ruin into 
which, by their transgressions, they had plunged them- 
selves. The historical part of scripture, and indeed 
the whole of the sacred writings, is one continued his- 
tory of the work of redemption by Jesus Christ. The 
knowledge of the interposition of God in favour of 
fallen man was at first conveyed by tradition, one gen- 
eration declaring the works of God to another, for 
which the longevity of those early generations was 
favourable. Unity of design, steadiness of co-opera- 
tion, and a progress of discovery respecting the great 
designs of God towards man, were carried on from 
Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, and from 
Abraham to Moses — one generation declaring the 
works of God to another. Moses compiled that 



part of the most ancient, the most elegant, and the 
most instructive of all books, which contains the his- 
tory of the world from the creation to his own time. 
After him, numbers were raised up to continue the 
history of the dispensations of Providence with the 
Jews and some neighbouring nations, with which they 
had occasional intercourse, for the space of two thou- 
sand years. All these dispensations were intended to 
prepare the world for the appearance of the Messiah, 
concerning whom many predictions are interspersed 
in the sacred writings, and of whom sacred history 
gives many types, in the characters of men who were 
distinguished by a greater measure of gifts and graces, 
exhibiting to the world examples of human excellence, 
as patterns for our imitation. Hence \Ve are called to 
notice the faith of Abraham, the iimocence of Joseph, 
the meekness of Moses, and tiie patience of Job. 

We also derive much information respecting the 
dispensations of Divine Providence from authentick 
profane histoiy ; every page of ^vhich tends to confirm 
the sacred truth, that a wise, i)owerful and benevolent 
Being governs the universe — who brings good out of 
evil, and order out of confusion. History teaches us, 
that the powers and efforts of men and of nations are 
often directed to purposes very difterent from the 
original intention and design. The same Being made 
the greatest things and the smallest : all are parts of 
the same system ; and what appears to us the most 
inconsideq^blO, answers a useful end — as our Saviour 
observes, not a sj)arrow falls to the ground >vithout 
the permission of God, and the very hairs of our heads 
are numbered. As nothing was made in vain, so 
nothinj^- comes to pass without the appointment or the 
i)crnii>ssion of God : sonic purpose therefore is intend- 



ed by every thing that happens, as well as by every- 
thing that is made. A design may not be so appar- 
ent in small things as in great ; but the hand ot* God 
is really in every event which happens, and a recog- 
nition of past events is a source of useful instruction 
and improvement ; for it will be the means of increas- 
ing our knowledge of God and of his works. What 
above all discovers the hand of Providence, as well 
as the weakness and short-sightedness of man is, that 
great events are often brought about contrary to the 
intention of the persons who were the principal in- 
struments of them, and by the very means which were 
designed to produce contrary effects. Thus persecu- 
tion has always been the means of promoting the per- 
secuted religion, insomuch that it has become a com- 
mon proverb — *' The blood of the martyrs is the seed 
of the church." On the contrary, the success and 
prosperity of a nation have often proved the means of 
their ultimate ruin. In like manner, small events, and 
such as had no apparent connexion with the effect 
produced, have been, over-ruled to bring about the 
greatest changes. Thus the desire of Henry VIII. to 
be divorced from a wife, was the means to produce the 
reformation in England, for which Protestants to this 
day rejoice. 

Monuments erected in commemoration of great 
events are all fading, and mouldering into dust. Mon- 
umental inscriptions, which are intended to perpetuate 
the names of men who were greatly distinguished, as 
instruments in the important events of the uorld, are 
also perishing. It is the faithful page of history only 
that hands down to posterity the great events of the 
world, or the men w!io were conspicuous actors in 
them. Here the knowledge of them may be acquired, 



while the smallest vestiges of literature shall remain 
upon earth. — I pass, 

II. To notice the principal events that have taken 
place anioni^ us, during my ministry, particularly 
those which had relation to the inhabitants oi this 
town. 

The last fifty years, perhaps, include as many im- 
portant changes as the same space of time in any pe- 
riod of the world. North-An\erica, half a century 
ago, was harmoniously connected with Great-Britain, 
and the latter was then closing a vigorous war with 
France and Spain. In the former part of that war 
^ve were unsuccessful ; but in the latter part. Provi- 
dence greatly smiled upon us — the British dominions 
were enlarged ; and, by the conquest of Canada, this 
country was delivered from the terrour of an inimical 
neighbour. In consequence of this great event, our 
country promised itself long peace and rest. The 
most favourable opportunity was then offered to in- 
crease our settlements, extend our borders, and mul- 
tiply our resources. Although these then provinces of 
the British empire had no design of becoming a sepa- 
rate nation, yet Divine Providence was preparing the 
way for this great event. An extensive territory on 
the north and west, which, at the close of the Freneli 
war, was ceded to Great-Britain, a\ ith a chain of for- 
tresses originally erected for our annoyance, at the ac- 
knowledgement oi' our independence was included 
within the limits of the United Stntes. This territo- 
ry extends our national frontier, increases our conve- 
niences, and adds to our security. 

A perfect calm in the political world is not long to 
be cx|>ected. The reciprocal happiness of Great- 
Britain and the Colonies was too great to be of long 



duration. Soon after the peace of 1763, trouble cariie 
from an unexpected quarter. Great-Britain claimed 
a right to tax the Colonies without their consent, " in 
all cases whatever," and the claim gave general 
alarm. The opposition made to the encroachment 
upon American liberty was so far successful, as to 
keep back the dispute between the two countries from 
coming to the last extremity for about ten years ; in 
which time we were rising in strength for an appeal to 
the Arbiter of the Universe, by the sword. A long 
and distressing war ensued, which cost the lives of 
many worthy citizens. Some of us still remember 
the gall and wormwood of those years, during which 
scarcely a family escaped the bitterness of having some 
friend slain in battle, or perishing in captivity. When 
we look back upon those scenes, in which we were ei- 
ther actors or spectators, we cannot but wonder, that 
the infant Colonies, so unprepared as they were for 
war, should dare to engage with one of the most pow- 
erful kingdoms of the earth ; and at an early period 
of the contest to assume a name and a place among 
free and independent nations. But the Divine coun- 
sels must and will stand. That was the time appoint- 
ed by Heaven for a nation to be born in a day ; and 
circumstances were made to concur for its accom- 
plishment. The situation of this country, from its 
first settlement by Europeans, has been very different 
from that of most others. In them, territory has been 
obtained by conquest, and government established by 
the sword. In this, the soil was purchased of the 
original inhabitants, and cultivated by the owners, 
who, when they could no longer be governed under 
the British crown, agreeably to their native privileges, 
framed a government for themselves, and established 
2 



10 

it by mutual consent ; in all the concerns of which 
Heaven favoured thcin, and tinder which they, for a 
time, greatly prosjicrcd. 

Haifa century ago, the number of inhabitants in the 
district of country which now composes the United 
States, was small in comparison with our present num- 
bers. The increase of husbandry, navigation and 
commerce, has been in full proportion to the popula- 
tion ; and all these, since the revolution, have increas- 
ed beyond example. At the close of the revolutiona- 
ry war, the nav illation of this country was next to 
nothing; but, within twelve years, the American flag 
was displayed in the ports of almost every commer- 
cial state and kingdom upon the globe ; and, had not 
the spirit of enterprize been checked by commercial 
embarrassments, we cannot calculate the degree of 
wealth and respectability to which these United States 
would have arisen by this time. New settlements 
have been greatly extended, and four or five new 
states have been added to the original thirteen. Set- 
tlements have been made, churches formed, acade- 
mies and colleges founded and put into a flourishing 
condition, where, less than fifty years ago, it was a 
howling wilderness. The wilderness has become a 
fruitful field, and the desert made to blossom like the 
rose. *' Thus the period has been replete with events 
in our own country, whicii have astonished the care- 
ful and wise observers of Divine Providence in hu- 
man aftairs," which the historick page will declare to 
|X)Sterity ; and in which future generations may trace 
the agency of the Almighty in the support of his 
church in the world. 

From America the spirit of liberty was carried into 
France ; but it could not there flourish. That nation 



11 

was not prepared lo entertain it. Upon throwing off 
monarchy, they fell into anarchy, and have been con- 
strained at last to submit to a military despotism. In- 
stead of ameliorating their condition, they have ren^ 
dered it seven-fold worse than it was before. This 
might have been expected ; for, under the influence 
of atheistick philosophy, they destroyed the constitu- 
tions of their religion, trampled upon the temples and 
the worship of their God ; and they declared death to 
be an eternal sleep. An aspiring chieftain seized the 
favourable moment to usurp dominion ; and he has 
established an absolute despotism over the nation. 
Not satisfied with the sceptre of France, he has spread 
desolation among the nations of continental Europe ; 
and by intrigue and the sword has subjected many of 
them to a state of abject slavery. How far he may be 
permitted to go, and how long he may be permitted to 
be a scourge to the earth, God only knows. 

But the compass of one discourse will not permit 
me to v/ander among the nations to declare the works 
of God, These all in a wonderful manner display his 
power, wisdom and goodness. In every country there 
have been distinguished characters raised up, who 
have proved great blessings or great curses to the na- 
tions which gave them birth. They who have been 
great and extensive blessings in their day ought to be 
remembered with respect. Many such, whose names 
are enrolled in the records of this country, were 
brought upon the stage of publick life during the last 
half century, and took their several parts in our rev- 
olution; most of whom have done their work, and 
have passed off. There have been many in the pri-. 
vate walks of life, whose memory may be as precious 
to us as that of those who moved in a publick sphere. 



12 

whose example may be as worthy of imitation, and 
the copy more extensively useful. The general on the 
field of battle, and the statesman in the cabinet, may 
exhibit something worthy the notice and imitation of 
those who may act in a like capacity ; but to the general- 
ity of mankind it is a copy they do not aspire to write af- 
ter. It is the industrious, prudent man, in private life, 
who sustains the character of an afFcctionate husband, 
a tender parent, a kind neighbour, a good member of 
society, and, which crowns all, of a good Christian, 
who sets an example for general imitation ; and this 
copy may be useful for mankind at large. In many 
respects the state of societ}-, within the last fifty years, 
has been improved. Civilization has been extended, 
and knowledge increased. The slave-trade has been 
discountenanced within the United States, and in the 
northern states slavery is wholly laid aside; and we 
are told that the condition of slaves in the southern 
states, as well as in some other parts of the world, is 
made better. They are not only pro>'idcd with more 
comfortable food, but a degree of attention is paid to 
their religious instruction, and some of them are 
ciiristianized. These circumstances give us reason 
to hope that the time is approaching, when all God's 
rational offspring will enjoy civil and moral freedom. 
During the period within our review, invention has 
been upon the stretch in this country. Many useful 
discoveries have been made in the mechanical arts, by 
which much labour is saved, and greater dispatch 
made. Another occurrence, which strongly charac- 
terizes this period, and exhibits a still more favourable 
appearance respecting mankind, and the church of 
God is, the charitable exertions that are making to 
ijprcad the gospel in our infant plantations, and among 



the heathen. For these apostolkk and glorious pur- 
poses numerous societies have been formed ; and they 
give great encouragement to all who have any interest 
at the throne of grace, to pray for the bringing In of 
the Jews, with the fuhiess of the Gentiles, that when 
the people of God take pleasure in the stones, and fa- 
vour the dust of Zion, that IJe would arise and build 
her up. 

But as smaller events become important to those, 
who, by their local situation, have an immediate inter- 
est in them, I would notice some things respecting the 
church and flock of God in this place, and more par- 
ticularly those which have taken place within the last 
fifty years. Some of these may be worthy of atten- 
tion, as they may excite your gratitude to Heaven 
for the smiles of Divine Providence upon the inhabit- 
ants of this town from generation to generation. We 
have it from good authority, that the land which origi- 
nally composed the town of Shrewsbury, was passed 
over by the proprietors of the adjacent towns, because 
they thought it not worthy of being taken into their 
grants. Hence the form of it was irregular. But a 
governing Providence had not destined this tract to 
remain a waste. In process of time it was to become 
a fruitful field. In 1717, it was granted to a body of 
men, who were not only enterprizing and industrious, 
but also religiously disposed. They considered pub- 
iick worship and the publick institutions of religion to be 
of the first importance, in their tendency to promote the 
highest interests of society, and to prepare men indi- 
vidually for the kingdom of heaven. About the year 
1721, the first meeting-house in this place was built 
by the proprietors. On the fourth of December, 1723, 
the church was gathered under the inspection of an 



u 

Ecclesiastical Council, which was convened for the 
purpose of ordaining the first minister of the town, the 
liev. Job Gushing, who was called and settled by the 
proprietors ; and who was distinguished for his pru. 
dence and e:cneral exemplary deportment. lie died, 
.•suddenly, August G, 1760. 

The land in the grant which composed Shrewsbury 
was originally rough, and it had been greatly impover- 
ished by frequent burnings by the proprietors of 
neighbouring settlements. Much hard labour was 
necessary to bring it into a state of cultivation, and the 
progress of its settlement was consequently slow ; but, 
from personal acquaintance with some of the first set- 
tiers, and from correct information res|:)ecting others, 
I am authorized to say, that they were remarkable for 
their industry, frugality and temperance. It seems 
that they attended unto and embraced the doctrine in- 
culcated in the first sermon that was preached in the 
plantation. It was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Breck, 
of Marlborough, on the 15th of June, 1720, from the 
following words, viz. — " Righteousness exalteth a na- 
tion, but sin is a reproach to any people." It appears 
that they adopted the resolution of Joshua, that, as for 
themselves and their households, they would serve the 
Lord. The church when formed consisted of sixteen 
male members ; and about an equal number of female 
menibers was soon after admitted into the church, 
most of them the partners of those who were first em- 
bodied. It appears from the church records, that 
within four years from the time the church was gath- 
ered, the heads of families, almost without exception, 
became members of it. The church remained in per- 
fect harmony and peace for eight years, when some 
dispute arose respecting discipline, and particularly on 



15 

the question, whether Riilin.^ Elders be a distinct office 
appointed by apostolick authority ? This controversy 
continued about ten years, when a small number with- 
drew from the church ; but they afterward returned, 
and remained regular members until the time of their 
death. This was the only controversy, as far as I cant 
learn, which has ever arisen in this church. After the 
death of their first pastor, and before the ordination of 
the second, the church renewed their Christian obli- 
gations ; and at that time they added one article to 
their covenant. This, after some years' e^^pericnce, 
was found to be the ground of uneasiness to some 
members, and an objection, in the minds of numbers, 
against seeking admission into the church. The ar- 
ticle was in consequence rescinded by an unanimous 
vote. During the fifty years of my ministry, the 
church has scarcely in any instance met, but for the 
management of its prudential concerns ; aiid I have 
scarcely known a vote passed which was not unani- 
mous. 

In December, 1742, the north part of Shrewsbury 
was incorporated into a parish ; and in the next year, 
fourteen male members of this church and sixteen fe- 
male were dismissed and recommended by this church: 
these, with some others, were formed into a church 
state, on the 6th of October, 1743, when the first min- 
ister was ordained over the church and people of liiat 
parish. In March, 1786, this parish was incorporated 
into a town, by the name of Boylston ; and in Sep- 
tember, 1796, a second church was formed in that 
town, by a number of members from the first church, 
together with some members from the churches in 
Holden and Sterling ; and this new society has b'mc.c 
been, incorporated into a town, by the j-iame of '^'W-- r 



16 

Boylston. Three houses for puollck w orship are now 
standing on the original grant of Shrewsbury. 

This ehurch, when it renewed its covenant in the 
year 1761, consisted of twenty. eight male memloers ; 
the number of female cannot be ascertained : but the 
communicants were more numerous than the mem- 
bers of the church. Many who moved into town did 
not remove th-^ir relations from the churches which 
they originally joined, and become acting members of 
this body. 'I'his church, from the first, has manifest- 
ed a candid spirit towards other denominations of 
Christians. They have never refused communion to 
Christian professors, whose lives and conversation, in 
the judgment of charity, supported their profession. 
Although emigration of ehurch members, as well as 
of other inhabitants of the town, has been very con- 
siderable, yet the church has been gradually increasing 
in numbers. There have been ten officiating deacons 
in this church, since its formation. The two who 
Avere in oflice, when the second church was formed, 
fell within the limits of that society. There is bur 
one individual now living in town, who was a member 
of this church at the time of my ordination ; this is a 
iemale : and there are, I believe, but three persons 
now alive who were then members. Two hundred 
and sixty-seven have been admitted to full connnu- 
nion during my ministry, and about one thousand one 
hundred and twenty have been baptized. The births 
within this period were between thirteen and fourteen 
hundred. Tiie number of marriages I cannot precise- 
ly ascertain. I have solemnized the marriage of four 
hujidred and ten couple, the greater part of whom em- 
jii^ratcd. The deatiis have been about six hundred 
and fifty — between twelve and tiiirteen in a year. For 



17 

some of the first years of my ministry, I cannot be 
answerable for the correctness of my bill of mortality. 
The average number of deaths in the year, since that 
time, has been a little more than one to an hundred of 
the inhabitants. According to the census in 1790, 
the population of the town then was nine hundred and 
sixty-three souls ; in 1800, one thousand and forty- 
three ; and in 1810, one thousand two hundred and 
ten. Thus hath God increased our numbers. Did 
the inhabitants of the town attend publick worship as 
universally at the present day as they did fifty years a- 
go, this house would scarcely contain our assembly. 

From the first settlement of the place, our people 
have been laudably disposed to make suitable provis- 
ion for the education of the rising generation. Not a 
few have felt themselves able and willing to give some 
of their children more than a common school educa- 
tion ; by which they have been qualified to become 
instructers in schools, and to serve their generation in 
various other useful departments. Twenty of our 
youth have received a collegiate education within the 
last fifty years, and three at an earlier period, many of 
whom became respectable ministers of the gospel ; and 
others of them have been distinguished in important 
offices of the government.* 

* The Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq. was bom in Shrewsbury, November, 
1727, and graduated at Harvard College, 1748. Soon after, he received the 
commissiovi of a Justice of the Peace. He was a field-officer in tlie French 
war, in 1758, and in 1762 was appointed a Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas for this county, and in 1775, was constituted Chief Justice of this, 
court; and for a time he filled the office of Judge of Probate for the coun- 
ty. For many years he was the Representative of this town in the Gene- 
ral Court: he was chosen the Speaker of that honourable body, and he for 
several years filled a seat at the Council Board. When hostilities between 
Great-Britain and America were expected, the Provincial Congress of Mas- 
sachusetts appointed him to coii.mand the forces of the Province ; and at 
the commencement of the war, in 1775, he commanded, the American ar- 
my, near Boston, from April to July, whea he was superseded in this ardu- 
ous duty by Geueral AVashington, Under Congrtss he was appointed (he 



18 

l\w towns liavc Ikcii favoured with more general 
health than this fur tlie List luilf century. The greatest 
number of deaths which has happened in any one year, 
took place in 1770. The canker-rash or throat-dis- 
temper then prevailed, and twenty-seven persons died 
by it. Two families lost four in each. In 1775, the 
dysentery was brought into this place from the camp, 
and proved fatal to numbers ; others of our inhabitants 
died of various disorders, and the whole number of 
deaths in that year was nineteen. These two were the 
years of our greatest mortality. A large proportion of 
our people have attained to a good old age, and some 
to a degree of longevity which, in modern times, is 
rarely the lot of humanity. John Ke yes, Esq. died 
March 3, 1768, at the age of ninety- four : he left a 
uidow, who lived to be ninety-six years old, and they 
lived together in the married state seventy-two years. 
In 1790, one in fifty of our inhabitants had passed 
eighty years of age. Of these, one died in her hun- 
dred and fifth year,* and another lived to be an hun- 
dred and five years and two months old.f They who 
live the longest, find an appointed time beyond which 
they cannot pass. One generation passeth away, and 
another cometh. Every year makes changes in fami- 
lies, in churches, and in towns. 

It is computed, that in this country, which is con- 
sidered one of the most healthy in the world, one half 
of the human race die under twenty years of age. It 
is supposed, that in 'twenty-seven years as many die 

ytcoiul in coininnnd in Uie continental army, which tomnii>?ion he resigned 
Mjon after the British trooi)« evacnatiil Boston. Under tlie old Conledera- 
tion, he was cin-'eii a IVKiubtr of Coi'gress, and was repeatedly elected a 
Mtmher of the llt)use i>r lli'|ireicntativ s in Concrs.'.-, «t'ter the ebtal)li?h- 
inent of the K«deral Constitution, He continued in |)ubli«-k life until hodi- 
ly iuCruiily obliged hiui to retire. He died October 21, IGOO. 

* Widow Mabx Jo.vxi. t Widow Rutu Garfilld. 



19 

as are living at any given period of time. The whole 
population of the earth has been estimated, by some, at 
one thousand million. From these principles we may 
calculate, that about thirty-seven million persons die an- 
nually on our globe — seven hundred and twelve thou- 
sand every week — one hundred and one thousand sev- 
en hundred and fifty daily — four thousand two hun- 
dred and thirty-nine every hour — and about seventy 
every minute. This number of human beings is com- 
ing into and passing out of the world without inter- 
mission. " What an astonishing current of souls is 
rapidly borne on the tide of time, incessantly shooting 
into the ocean of eternity, and appearing before God 
in judgment!"* According to this calculation, the 
earth changes its inhabitants twice in a little more than 
half a century. When we compare our bill of mortal- 
ity with the above estimation of the mortality of the 
world, it will appear very small ; and we shall per- 
ceive our obligations to bless and to praise God for 
his goodness manifested towards us. 

In this climate, healthy as it is, half a century makes 
great changes in the inhabitants of our land. It has 
changed all the ministers of the gospel in this extensive 
county ; and very few remain in the Commonwealth who 
were in the ministry at the time of my induction into of- 
fice. Thirty years have swept away almost all the lead- 
ing characters in the revolution. Rulers and ruled, min- 
isters and those to whom they ministered, are gone 
upon the current of time. If we look into families, we 
find very few instances where both the heads continue 
for fifty years. There are but two such families now in 
this town, which were here when I was ordained ; and 
there are very few instances where either of those, ^\'ho 
were then heads of families, remain unto this dav. 

*Rev. Dr. Trumbull.. 



20 



APPLICATION. 

The cursory review we have taken of the events of 
the last half century, naturally leads us to serious re- 
flections. This period of time has been important — 
not because I, an unworthy minister of Jesus Christ, 
have been continued among you ; but because it has 
been filled up with important publick events, and 
with concerns of great personal interest to you, indi- 
vidually, or in your connexion with domestick life. 
Almost every one of you can recollect, that within 
this period, a parent, a partner or a child has died. 
Not one of those years perhaps passed without events 
highly important to some of us. Few of us, who 
have not been called within these years, at different 
times, to take the place of mourners, and to follov/ 
divers of our friends to the silent mansion. Lovers 
and friends have been taken from us, and put far into 
darkness, Wc lamented their deaths. 'I'he worm- 
wood and the gall, our souls have still in remembrance. 
It is highly important that wc inquire what effect those 
things have had upon us ; whether they have awaken- 
ed in us a carefulness to prepare for our own great and 
last change. 

When we look forward fifty years, they appear very 
long ; but when we look back fifty, they appear very 
short. I cannot realize that so many years have rolled 
away since the day, when, with fear and trembling, I 
took the oversight of this flock, then solemnly commit- 
ted to my charge. It had been my intention not to en- 
ter into the ministry at so early a period ; but it ap- 
peared to others, as well as to myself, to be the will of 
Providence that I should. I could not doubt the sin- 
rere aflTeclion of those who invited and solicited me to 



21 

take the charge and oversight of them in the Lord. 
I have reason gratefully to recognize their candour and 
kindness to me during my more youthful years, and 
even as long as they were continued with us. But they 
are nu mbered with the congregation of the dead. Like 
candour and kindness I have reason to acknowledge 
in the present generation. I am sensible, that in such 
a long course of ministrations, the manner and method 
of a preacher usually become obsolete ; and, I trust, that 
while any traces of reason remain with me, I shall not 
forget the kind reception I have met with from the 
body of this people. The unhappy habit, which some 
of this society have formed, of neglecting the publick 
institutions of religion, has been the greatest discour- 
agement which I have experienced since my settle- 
ment. This has caused me to entertain serious thoughts 
of discontinuing my pastoral relation to this church and 
people, in the hope that a new preacher would engage 
the attention of those who habitually absent themselves 
from publick worship, and bring them off from their 
dangerous neglect. But this, when I have mentioned 
the thought, has been universally condemned by those 
in whose wisdom and friendship I have been accus- 
tomed to confide. But my course is almost finished : 
according to the order of nature, my work is almost 
done. I have been with your predecessors, and with 
most of you, in seasons of trial and affliction. I have 
endeavoured to minister unto you according to my fee- 
ble ability, in private as well as in publick, agreeably 
to the revealed will of God. This I have tak^n for my 
guide, without enlisting myself under any dividing hu- 
man name. It has been my endeavour to preach Christ 
and Him crucified, and to inculcate the important du- 
ties of the Christian character. With what success and 



22 

profit I have ministered, will more fully appear on an- 
other day ; and, where no advantage has been derived 
from the means of grace in this place, it will then also 
appear who was the blamcable cause. All I have to 
say is, that, as far as I know myself, I have endeavour- 
ed to fulfil the ministry which I have received of the 
Lord Jesus ; and Providence has favoured me with 
such general health, that I have rarely failed in stand- 
ing in my lot in publick, or of obeying more private 
calls to ministerial duty. If life, health and any tolera- 
ble degree of mental strength should be continued un- 
to me a little longer, I shall be willing to spend these 
in your service. But I find the infirmities of age in- 
creasing upon me, especially mental infirmities : these 
may perhaps increase so fast, that I may not be sensi- 
ble of my own decays : in that case, you will kindly 
prevent my attempting to minister unto you. 

According to the course of nature, you must ere 
long be destitute of a minister ; you will not therefore 
think it assuming, if I give you a word of advice re- 
specting the re-settlement of a Christian pastor. You 
will not, I presume, be willing to live without the pub- 
lick ministrations of the gospel. As you have a fund 
for the support of a Congregational minister, which can- 
not be alienated to any secular purpose, nor converted 
to the support of a minister of any other denomination 
of Christians, there can, I trust, be no doubt that on 
my decease, the pastoral office in this church will soon 
be re- filled. Still I feel anxiety lest divisions should 
arise among you. There are at this day dividing 
names, among which many preachers enlist : I there- 
fore take the liberty to recommend the following tilings 
unto you. Let your waiting eyes be unto God, not 
only in secret and in private, but also in publick, witli 



' 23 

humiliation and fasting. Take advice, especially ot* 
the neighbouring ministers, who, it may well be suppo- 
sed, have more acquaintance with candidates than you 
can possess — then hear and judge for yourselves. Be- 
ware of such preachers as place the essence of relig- 
ion in external modes and forms, in dividing names, 
or in speculative matters, in themselves doubtful, and 
which would be useless if their truth could be made 
certain. They, who enrol themselves as the disci- 
ples of this or that distinguished man in the Christian 
world, feel that they are pledged to support his peculiar 
system ; and they call into exercise all their metaphysic- 
al powers, to persuade the less informed that they sec 
further into hidden things than their fellow-men. 

There is, I conceive, more danger of deception from 
these metaphysicians than from those who make the 
essence of religion to consist in external rites, or in a 
mode of administering them ; because the latter at 
first view, appear so absurd, and savour so much of a 
Pharisaical spirit, that none but the most uninformed 
can be deluded by them. The Congregational socie- 
ty in this town, in their fund, possess the best barrier 
against sectarianism and fanaticism. Professions are 
cheap things, and many are willing to offer that which 
costs them nothing. I urge upon you diligently to 
search the scriptures, and to try every man's doctrine 
by this standard. Place not your dependence upon the 
creeds and confessions of men, nor upon any human 
composition. If any man preach any other gospel 
than that which you find in the scriptures, believe him 
not. If the scriptures be not a sufficient rule of faith 
and practice, we cannot expect to find this rule among 
human forms. It will be a misapplication of the a- 
vails of your funds, to apply them for such speculative 



24, 



prcachlnj^, as tends neither to enlighten the mind nor 
to regulate tl\e practice. But, as none but professed 
Congregationalists will have a right to a voice in the 
choice of a minister here, I trust you will harmonize 
upon this important subject. Having witnessed in 
many places the unhappy consequences which result 
from pushing the settlement of a minister, in opposi- 
tion to a respectable minority, I cannot but caution 
you against this errour. The spirit of party is hereby 
ixcitcd, and an alienation of brediren ensues, which 
requires a long time to remedy. In case of great divis- 
ion, permit the individual who is the object of it, qui- 
etly to depart, and invite a new candidate, looking to 
God to unite you in his o-.vn time and way. Be not 
too hasty in forming an opinion of your candidate, but 
take time to satisfy yourselves respecting his doctrine, 
his morals, and his prudence. Some appear better up- 
on a slight acquaintance than they do when fully 
known. ' It is the complaint of some societies, that 
their ministers preach a different doctrine after their 
ordination from that which they preached while can- 
didates. You will therefore consider the importance 
of as full an investigation as in your power of the in- 
tegrity, the knowledge, in a word, of the various qual- 
ifications for a minister, possessed by your candidate, 
before you proceed to setUe him. 

The review of the last half century naturally leads us 
to inquire, what probably will be our situation before 
the next fifty years shall complete their revolutions. 
What intervening changes may take place with us, or 
any of ours, we cannot tell : what sufferings arc allot- 
ted us— what conflicts we may be called to sustain, 
God only knows ; but this one thing we know, the 
greater part of us, who are now in the house of God, 



25 

will be in an eternity of happiness or misery before the 
expiration of half a century. It concerns us all to re- 
flect, for which of these states we are prepared — wheth- 
er we are vessels of mercy preparing for glory, or ves- 
sels of wrath fitting for destruction. 

What changes those of this audience will witness, 
who shall live fifty years from this time, is beyond hu- 
man foresight. Whether the Federal union of these 
States will last half this time, is, from present appear- 
ances, very doubtful. But, according to the best re- 
ceived interpretation of ancient prophecies, the millen- 
nial state of the church will commence about that 
time.* We may rejoice in the anticipation of such a 
glorious event : but the eternal state of most of us will 
be fixed before the arrival of this period. It concerns 
us, one and all, to prepare ourselves for whatever may 
take place in the Divine government, while we shall 
be upon the-stage of life. More especially it concerns 
us to prepare for our dissolution by death, from which 
no age is exempt. We who are old may be assured 
that our time on earth is short — that we must soon go 
the way whence none return — that the places which 
now know us on earth will know us no more. The 
greatest kindness we can extend to posterity, the great- 
est good we can do to those who may succeed us in 
our respective places, is, by a life of godliness and so- 
briety, to give our dying testimony for God and for re- 
ligion. As we wish that posterity may enjoy the fruits 
of our labour, and reap the fields we have cultivated, 
let us teach them, by precept and example, to fear 

* The Pope was formally invested with the authority of Universal Bishou 
by the Emperor Phocas, A.D. 606. Adding to thi.s period, the r2G0 days 
nientjoned by Daniel, or, as is intended by prophtjtick davs, l^GO rears 
^re are brought to the vcar 1866. 5ce Fahn. ' " ' 



26 

God, to regard his word, his day, his house, his 7Uor- 
^g/iip, his injunctions o^ Justice, benevolence and charity. 
Finally— let it be the care of all to act their parts 
well on the stage of life, and to approve themselves 
faithful unto the death. May God of his mercy grant, 
that in the day of judgment we may meet together at 
the right hand of Jesus, and may be admitted into the 
kingdom of glory, Amen. 



THE venerable Author of the above Sermon still lives. Tor 

his age, he possesses an unusual degree of bodily and mental 

strength ; and, until the present time, (the lifty-eighth year of 

his ministry, and the eightieth of his life) he has been enabled, 

with little assistance, to perform all the duties of his office. 

Editor. 
Worcester, July, 1819. 



